by Ian Uymatiao

         So you’ve finally decided that your next mobile phone will be powered by the little green robot. There is a vast array of Android phones to choose from, but choice is a double-edged sword: it allows us to find a phone more suited to our needs, but at the same time it also makes it difficult to actually pick one. This guide was made for the purpose of presenting to you the best phone for certain categories, making the process of choosing one more manageable. I will be covering a total of four separate categories, and the appeal of each should be broad enough such that most, if not all, kinds of phone users are covered.

1. Bare Necessities

These phones require a small upfront cost, but will nonetheless give you a capable Android experience. These phones will do pretty much everything you expect out of an Android device, such as browse the web, play audio and video, and run a vast number of apps and games, though not all. They also tend to be the most pocketable, since they are usually equipped with relatively small screen sizes, averaging around 3.5 inches in diagonal length.

These phones do have their compromises, particularly in performance and software upgradeability, but as long as your expectations are reasonable, these entry-level phones still deliver incredible value, especially compared to rival platforms at similar price points.

Recommended Phone: Sony Xperia Sola

Source: gsmarena.com

The Xperia Sola packs mighty hardware in a phone that retails for less that P10,000 (will vary from store to store), making it one of the best phone deals from a hardware standpoint. From a software standpoint, compromises are abound. Despite powerful hardware being packed into this device, the phone is still stuck on Android 2.3, a nearly two year old version of Android! The phone is expected to eventually be upgraded to Android 4.0, but that version is already one year behind, and the phone won’t be upgradeable past that point without resorting to warranty-breaking tinkering.

If running up-to-date Android is important to you, we would suggest investing just a little more for the phone we are about to recommend in the next category. If, however, software is not important towards your buying decision, Sony’s entry-level phone is a solid choice for its price.

2. The Mid-Price Screamer

These mid-range phones will require a little more investment, but the phones also come with hardware and software improvements across the board. These improvements can range from respectable to insane, often justifying the premium these phones hold over their entry-level contemporaries.

These phones are also more likely to run more recent versions of Android, so you can expect smooth performance thanks to highly-optimized software working with competent hardware. If you are looking for an uncompromised Android experience without spending a lot, consider the phones in this category to be your baseline.

Recommended Phone: LG Nexus 4

Source: thedroidguy.com

The Nexus 4 is packed with screaming fast hardware, and that good news is compounded by the fact that this phone currently retails for around P15,000! The phone also ships with the latest version of Android (version 4.2), so you can expect the best experience possible on any phone that is powered by Google’s OS. Since this is a “Google phone”, you can expect software improvements to come almost as soon as they are announced, making the Nexus 4 the clear winner from a software and upgradeability standpoint. The Nexus 4 can easily pass for high-end hardware, and when coupled with the aforementioned guarantee of OS upgrades, it’s easy to declare this Google phone as the best bargain to ever grace the smartphone market.

There are, however, things to look out for. First, the Nexus 4 is not officially available in the Philippines. In fact, Google phones don’t have an official retail presence in the Philippines apart from a postpaid plan from Smart, so if you want to get this phone for prepaid, you will have to look for it from gray market sources. Also, since the backside of this phone is made of glass, it’s prone to cracking if you accidentally drop it. A protective case is highly recommended!

3. The Omnidroid

These are the best Android phones money can buy. They ship with the fastest specs, come with fairly recent versions of Android, are built with the best materials, and are widely supported no matter where you are. They represent the best of phone hardware, and it shows in their continuing popularity. While their software isn’t always up-to-date the way Google phones are, it doesn’t retract from what remains a top-notch phone experience. Overall, you really can’t go wrong with these phones at the top of the Android food chain.

Recommended Phone: Samsung Galaxy S3

Source: ubergizmo.com

The Galaxy S3 continues to be popular among consumers for good reason: it’s among the fastest phones on the planet, has an excellent camera built-in, has solid battery-life, and (thanks to recent Android optimizations) almost never slows down. There is also one unsung advantage of the Galaxy S3, and it has to do with accessories. The Galaxy S3 is so popular that many accessories have been made just for it. Trust me: you’ll be hard-pressed to find a phone accessory shop that doesn’t support Samsung’s flagship.

What you ultimately end up with is a phone so jam-packed with good things going for it that it still continues to be a strong choice despite fierce contenders from rival companies. If you think that sounds great for an Android phone worth purchasing, go for it; there’s no better choice out there.

4. The Typist

This is an admittedly rare category nowadays. In the early days of smartphones, there was strong demand for phones with hardware keyboards that offered a tactile typing experience similar to traditional cellphones. As screens got bigger, and touchscreen keyboards got smarter, that demand has significantly diminished in recent years, but as is expected of Android phones, these phones with hardware keyboards never truly go extinct.

While these phones won’t win a hardware or software contest against any of the phones we have just mentioned, if you are a diehard typer in need of a tactile keyboard accompanying your mobile device, know that these phones still do exist, but maybe not for long…

Recommended Phone: Sony Ericsson Xperia Pro

Source: mobile2u.com.pk

Yes, it’s a 2011 phone. Yes, it has somewhat outdated hardware. And yes, it’s riddled with the same software compromises that come with the earlier mentioned Xperia Sola. With all that said, however, the backlit hardware keyboard that comes with this phone is excellent. The keys are well-spaced, and the keys have a nice tactile feel to them. It may not be the best Android phone to use in 2012, but it may as well be the best one to type on.

If this phone strikes your fancy, they can be found for a price similar to that of the Xperia Sola. Because this phone has already been phased out by Sony, you will have to quickly look for this phone from alternate sources while stocks last!